Emma Pooley “thrilled” with Commonwealth Games time trial silver

The 31-year-old English rider admitted she could have ridden parts of course more aggressively.

Emma Pooley admitted she had no complaints finishing second behind Kiwi Linda Villumsen in today’s Commonwealth Games time trial in Glasgow.

Pooley took silver in the event, the same colour medal she won in the Olympic time trial six years ago, after finishing six seconds behind the Kiwi.

And the 31-year-old English rider said she was more than satisfied with a podium finish.

“I’m not upset, she [Villumsen] is an excellent time triallist and she deserves the win,” said Pooley.

“I don’t really want to look back with regrets, because I can’t re-race it, but I was pretty cautious in the corners because they were wet and I slipped out on one.

“I’m thrilled to have a medal, and especially after such fantastic support out on the course. It was really wonderful – there were even people with Scottish flags yelling ‘Emma’, which I’m really thankful for. Thanks Scotland!”

The best thing about today was the amazing support out on the course.Thank you @Glasgow2014 ! Delighted with silver, well done @LVillumsen !

Pooley announced on Tuesday that she will retire from cycling after Sunday’s Commonwealth road race.

Asked what her emotions were ahead of starting her final time trial, she said: “I was quite nervous, but it was a steep start ramp and the cobblestones were wet. I was mostly thinking ‘don’t fall off right at the start!’.

“You’re always nervous at the start of a time trial, you want to get everything out and it was my last as a professional cyclist.”

She also thanked Team England mechanic Ernie Feargrieve for his help in preparing her bike for the race. Pooley said it had “some mechanical problems,” which CW understands to have been with her Shimano Di2 gearing.